Just woke up to this dreadful news. Charlie was a total one-off - I was going to call him 'one of the good guys' but that seems almost a put-down: he was the ultimate honest, modest, straightahead good guy.

Charlie used to let me kip on his floor from time to time in the late sixties when my band had back-to-back gigs in London, and has been a true friend and champion ever since, albeit one I saw only sporadically - the kind of dependable bloke you could just pick up with where you left off months or years ago. That previous post that spoke about his 'friendly face with no hidden agenda' hit the nail on the head. I'm sure that Charlie - quite literally - didn't have an enemy in the world.

Richard’s obit says it all. As the song says, "you don't know what you've got - until you lose it".

Just found out the news. Deeply saddened. Met Charlie at a Chillifried at the beginning of last year and, although he didn't know me from Adam, he was polite, knowledgeable, chatty, friendly and welcoming.

Feeling such grief, I cant imagine what it must be like for Buffy, Suzy, Jody, Ivan, Aramide and Chano. I am one of the countless people whose lives were transformed by Charlie. Our weekly music sessions had become such a cherished part of my life, and his friendship something I always have and always will treasure. I guess its normal to feel that it will take a long time to get adjusted to life without him. He was so vivacious, with such a fighting spirit, talking about all his projects just a week ago, I am still having trouble accepting that he has so suddenly left us. I hope your spirit finds peace Charlie and am forever grateful to have had you in my life. Your friend always, Lilly

I just wanted to say that, even though I only knew Charlie Gillett from his Worldservice radio programme, I loved this programme, the music played and also his voice - a lovely, interesting and soothing voice. The first time I heard the programme I thought, amazing, I love all the music played. I always thought he was a person I would have loved to have met. So, I was very sad to hear the news this morning and wish to send my loving wishes to his family and friends.Pamela

I heard the news about Charlie on Radio 4 this morning.I never met Charlie but I would say that he has been one of the most important people in my life, opening my mind and ears to music that has enriched my life in countless ways.I first stared listening to his show The City Beats on Capital Radio in my early teens. I was amazed and intrigued by the music he played - noone else played anything like that.His lack of ego and self-effacing manner as a presenter just served to highlight his pure enthusiasm for the music and his desire to share it.I wrote to him to ask for a playlist and was so touched that he not only sent one but also sent me a couple of records that he thought I might enjoy.A few years later I wrote to him again when he was doing Saturday Night on GLR. He said that I was welcome to come to the station and help out as a volunteer on the show. For various reasons (which seemed important at the time, but seem trivial now) I didn't take him up on this wonderful offer. I have regretted it ever since.I feel so sad that he has gone, but also so grateful that he lived.His gift to me is a life-long love of music and an appreciation of the need to be open-minded and open-hearted if we are to live fully.God bless you, Charlie.

I first started listening to Charlie Gillett while I was university. His World of Music relaxed me and introduced me to countless new artists and types of music. It was because of Charlie that I started listening to the World Service, which is where I work today. He will be sorely and sadly missed.

I have always been an avid world service listener and only recently discovered his fantastic programme, truly a delight the exciting blend of music now i feel like i did when john peel left us a sad loss to the music loving world.

My deepest condolences to Buffy and Charlie's family. Myself and Ruth cannot put in words how sad the news of Charlie's passing is and how much he will be missed. He was a giant, a brilliant man who left this world a richer place then when he arrived in it. An advocate and explorer of music who opened so many doors for musicians and music lovers alike.

Terrible, terrible news.Difficult to express feelings when it's not your mother tongue. Charlie was pure class, a great broadcaster and a fine man. I was lucky enough to be invited to do a "pingpong" with him. I also remember feeling so proud when he thanked me for "introducing" him to Issa Bagayogo's Sya whereas, saturday nights after saturday nights, Charlie had introduced me (and thousands of others) to so many marvelous tunes and artists.Can't believe it.My sincere condolences to his Family and friends.

I too am feeling very bereft since I heard the news last night on Radio 4.

I started listening to him in the 90's on the World Service when I was living in Paris. There are not many things I switch the radio or tele on specifically for, but I tried not to miss his programs, although more often than not his soothing voice and wonderful tunes would greet me in the middle of a long sleepless night as I struggled in my occasional bouts of insomnia. (That's exactly what happened to me not so long ago on a trip to Paris, and after listening to the program I at last got some sleep. I'd meant to write to him to thank him!) One day my now husband brought back a whole bunch of his compilation CDs from a trip to England, proof that we were both confirmed fans.

So I was really thrilled, and surprised, to get a message from him thanking me for my contributions after my few initial postings on the forum, but even more so to meet him, not all that long ago, for the first time at Garth's book launch. He had a real sparkle in his eye and a warmth in his handshake that I will not forget. I'd been looking forward to meeting him many more times, but I must think positively that at least my recent move to London was in time to get to know him, albeit briefly.

I am really grateful for the existence of this forum as it has enabled me to keep up with the kind of music that I love, and find new places to go, in this city that has changed so much since the last time I was here.

To think that there'll be no new programs...it is hard to contemplate. On a selfish note, how will I get to sleep now?! Charlie was clearly a special person. My husband and I and all his listeners all over the world could gather that from just tuning in, and meeting him reinforced that knowledge. All contributors to this forum, old hands and newcomers, will miss him. My heartfelt thoughts go out to his family.

When I worked briefly with Charlie at Capital Radio in 80s he was like a glass of cool water in the desert. Sane. Honest. Humble. A sense of proportion. Respect for others. Markedly different from all the others (apart perhaps from Roger Scott) I wondered how and why he was there. But he was.Thanks Charlie.

Awful news to wake up to at 6am on an otherwise bright morning. I first came across Charlie when his Sound of the City was being serialised in Clive Richardson's Soul Music/Shout mag. I then devoured the book when it came out and used to follow his column in Record Mirror (where he delighted me by publishing a couple of my top tens). I've followed him ever since and I even got to meet him briefly at a Rosco Gordon dig. A true pioneer and a true enthusiast. My condolences to his family and friends

I didn't know this site existed till today and it has taken me quite a bit of effort to find it and register just so that I could add my shock at the news.Charlie was only a year older than me and our tastes in music coincided. Dire Straits and Ian Drury being only obvious examples.But the first time that Charlie came to my notice was in the year 1999. That year I emigrated to France to recommence work as an international transport driver. As such I criss crossed the continent often at night and the only English language I could hear was on the World Service. Thus I found Charlie and always made a note of his times, never missing if I could possibly help it. His quiet voice, in contrast to the manic tones of younger presenters was perfect for long hours at the wheel, (yes, a half hour with him set me up for the rest of the night).His style was perfect. I had been listening during other hours to French radio and one song ran through my head, it was played so often, but I never could catch the title or artist. Until one night with Charlie I heard the opening notes and thought 'at last, Charlie won't let me down, he will give me all the details as soon as it finishes'. And so he did. The only trouble was, I passed under a bridge at the precise moment he tried to put me out of my misery! Not Charlie's fault. In case anyone is interested I later discovered the insistent tune was 'Le Vent Nous Portera', by Noir Desir. I listen to it often, but never without remembering Charlie. My sorrow and hugs to all who hold him dear.